Manipur wary of peace pact contents

Imphal, December 3: President Ram Nath Kovind's announcement that a solution to the Naga peace talks was imminent has prompted the Manipur Congress to demand that the BJP-led government in the state put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disclose the contents of the framework agreement signed with the NSCN (I-M).

Inaugurating Nagaland's Hornbill festival on Friday, Kovind had announced that solution to the Naga political issue was very near.

"With the BJP government at the Centre refusing to disclose the contents of the framework agreement, the announcement by the President caused concern among the people on whether Manipur's interests would be harmed. Therefore, the BJP-led government in Manipur should demand the contents of the framework agreement from the Prime Minister," former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said on Saturday.

The Congress is seeking disclosure of the contents in the framework agreement signed in August 2015 between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) in the presence of Modi.

The Congress on Saturday staged a sit-in at Loukham Leirak in Imphal West. Congress leaders are apprehensive that the signing the final agreement could be announced without any notice, as demonetisation had been done.

"We are not against signing of the final agreement with the NSCN (I-M) or return of peace in Nagaland. But what we are apprehensive that something is against the interest of Manipur in the framework agreement. The Centre's refusal to disclose the contents indicates that," Ibobi Singh said.

"Kovind's announcement causes serious concern among the people in the state. BJP leaders and chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh should rise above politics and start seeking details of the agreement. It is in the larger interest of the people of the state and not for any political party," former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said.

The Congress said if a final agreement with the NSCN (I-M) disturbs the political and geographical integrity of Manipur, the state would be on the boil. It would continue to hold sit-in demonstrations across the state until the Centre discloses the contents of the framework agreement, the party added.

In Assam, too, the Congress raised the demand for the Centre to disclose the contents of the framework agreement. Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi and his colleague Pradyut Bordoloi said it was high time that Nagaland's neighbours - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur were briefed about the contents. (TTNE)